SUMMERFEST

22 must-see acts at Summerfest 2019 in Milwaukee, from Billie Eilish to Jennifer Lopez to Lil Wayne

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

There are more than 800 acts playing Summerfest 2019 in Milwaukee, the world's largest music festival. Where to start?

How about a couple of veteran superstars who haven't played Milwaukee in decades — or ever. Or a teen pop phenomenon doing things on her terms, and taking the music world by storm? Or perhaps the first Indian band to play the festival in its 52-year history?

All these, and more, made our list of the 22 must-see acts at Summerfest this year, a mix of top headliners, exciting emerging artists and some of Milwaukee's brightest talent. (The acts are listed in order of appearance.)

You can find more recommendations in the Journal Sentinel's Summerfest interactive schedule — where you can also search artists by date, time, stage and genre; read band bios; find local acts; and make your own wish lists.

Find it at jsonline.com/summerfest, along with our need-to-know Summerfest guide, a rundown of all the ways to get you in for free and more. And keep checking back for complete coverage of the festival, running June 26 to 30 and July 2 to 7.

1. Zed Kenzo

As a producer, a rapper and especially as a live performer, Zed Kenzo, one of the Journal Sentinel's Wisconsin Bands to Watch for 2019, is nothing short of a force, the pinnacle of creativity and electricity that's evident in this golden age of Milwaukee hip-hop. (5:30 p.m. June 27, Johnson Controls World Sound Stage)

2. Brandy Clark

An accomplished songwriter in Nashville (including co-writing Miranda Lambert's "Mama's Broken Heart"), Clark's debut album "12 Stories" sat in limbo until a tiny label finally released it. The songwriting was so exceptional it became a critic's favorite, and she was nominated for a best new artist Grammy. (6 p.m. June 27, BMO Harris Pavilion)

3. Lizzo

There are few live performers who can light up a crowd like this uplifting and hilarious singer and rapper. And thanks to her infectious new album "Cuz I Love You" and its sweet lead single, "Juice," Lizzo is finally getting the mainstream attention she deserves. (10 p.m. June 27, Harley-Davidson Roadhouse)

4. Willie Nelson & Family

After bringing Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow and others along for the Outlaw Music Festival at Summerfest in 2017, Nelson is back with a whole new stacked lineup, including Phil Lesh, the Avett Brothers, Counting Crows, Alison Krauss, Dawes and Milwaukee's own Trapper Schoepp. At 86, Nelson understandably can be a bit shaky, but when he's in the zone, he's sensational, evident by a breathtaking guitar solo on his trusty, battered acoustic guitar Trigger at Summerfest two years ago. Nelson performs at 10:15 p.m. June 27 at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater; the Outlaw Music Festival begins at 1 p.m. $67.45 to $121.45 at the box office (200 N. Harbor Drive), (800) 745-3000 and ticketmaster.com. Includes Summerfest general admission June 27.

5. Brandi Carlile

She's got one of the grandest voices and most spirited personalities you could ever hope to enjoy in concert. And thanks to a jaw-dropping Grammys performance this year (and three wins that night), Brandi Carlile is arguably more popular than she's ever been. Carlile's headlining performance is at 9:45 p.m. at the BMO Harris Pavilion. She's also doing a special, intimate acoustic set at 4 p.m. June 28 at the American Family Insurance House behind the Mid Gate entrance. Credentials are available at the site that day on a first-come, first-served basis.

6. The Lonely Island

The comedy trio featuring Andy Samberg made lots of funny viral music videos a few years back for originals like "Jack Sparrow" with Michael Bolton and "YOLO" with Adam Levine and Kendrick Lamar. They returned from a hiatus with a wonderfully ludicrous, Beyoncé-style "visual poem" on Netflix inspired by the Bash Brothers Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco. Now, they're on a rare tour, including their first Milwaukee show. (10:15 p.m. June 28, Miller Lite Oasis)

7. Bon Iver

While it's disappointing to see Justin Vernon's Eaux Claires music festival take the year off, at least home state fans get a chance to see Bon Iver this year. In fact, Summerfest is the only place to see them in Wisconsin, and likely the first place in America where Bon Iver will perform songs from a forthcoming album. (7:30 p.m. June 29, American Family Insurance Amphitheater. $58.05 to $73.40. Lord Huron and Julien Baker open. Ticket includes Summerfest general admission for June 29.)

8. Upstate

Whatever your mood, Upstate is guaranteed to lift your spirits, with its playful blend of folk, R&B, rock and pop structured around some seriously good three-part female harmonies. (8 p.m. June 30, Uline Warehouse)

9. Tori Kelly

With powerful pipes and help from some top pop producers (including Max Martin), Tori Kelly became an artist to watch following 2015's "Unbreakable Smile." But then she made an unexpected, and celebrated, career move, following it up with a Grammy-winning gospel album, "Hiding Place," with half of the songs co-written with Kirk Franklin. (9:45 p.m. June 30, BMO Harris Pavilion)

10. The National

While many indie-rock bands that emerged in the early aughts have hit their creative and commercial peak, the National continues to thrive, releasing yet another acclaimed new album, "I Am Easy to Find," in May. Their live shows are explosive, too; The band was a Lollapalooza headliner last year. Fortunately for Summerfest fans, they're playing one of the side stages, not the amphitheater for a higher ticket price. (10 p.m. June 30, Miller Lite Oasis)

11. Reyna

The Banuelos sisters, formerly performing as the Milwaukee band Vic and Gab, have dropped nothing but terrific synthpop singles since rebranding in 2016, and it's really paying off. Reyna won the chance to release a song through Universal Music as part of an Aloft Hotel competition, and they recently signed with Billie Eilish's manager. (7 p.m. July 2, Miller Lite Oasis)

12. Lionel Richie

Local Lionel Richie fans have been looking for him to get back to Milwaukee for years now. He's finally answered the call, performing his first set in the city since opening for Tina Turner at the Bradley Center in 2000. (7:30 p.m. July 2, American Family Insurance Amphitheater. $63.70 to $133.25. Michael McDonald opens. Ticket includes Summerfest general admission July 2.)

13. Jacob Latimore

The Milwaukee native's Hollywood profile keeps rising — Showtime's "The Chi," "Detroit" are among his recent credits — but he's still sparing time sharpening his music career, releasing his second album, "Connection2," this spring. (8 p.m. July 2, U.S. Cellular Connection Stage)

14. Chaka Khan

Khan is a legend, and if there's any justice, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will get around to inducting her. But she's not interested in coasting. In February, she released her first album in 12 years, "Hello Happiness," and she is still dazzling in concert, with insatiable energy and dynamic vocals. Fingers crossed that Milwaukee dancer Virgillette Adams will get to cash in on winning a Chaka Khan dance contest on Instagram last fall and perform on stage with her at Summerfest. (9:45 p.m. July 2, BMO Harris Pavilion)

15. Jennifer Lopez

Lopez came to Milwaukee to judge "American Idol," and she was here to premiere a fashion line with Kohl's. But in her 20-year music career, the superstar has never performed in Milwaukee. That finally ends at Summerfest as part of her "It's My Party" tour celebrating her 50th birthday. (7:30 p.m. July 3, American Family Insurance Amphitheater. $72.40 to $334.65. The Lab, Swing Latino and Briar Notet — three acts from NBC's "World of Dance" — will open. Tickets include Summerfest general admission July 3.)

16. Amanda Huff

An expressive vocalist for various jazz and electronic projects in Milwaukee, Amanda Huff finally took center stage last year with her own jazzy, electronic pop EP "Hemiptera" and its standalone single, "Only in Dreams." With that, she established herself with an intoxicating sound that recalls the artful yet accessible stylings of Bjork. (6:45 p.m. July 4, Johnson Controls World Sound Stage)

17. Courtney Barnett

Sonically inspired by '90s rock, Barnett herself is likely to be an inspirational figure for rock musicians for years to come, writing some of the wittiest tunes of recent years on her first two universally beloved studio albums. (10 p.m. July 4, Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard)

18. Rose of the West

Combining the talents of musicians from other noteworthy Milwaukee groups (GGOOLLDD and Hello Death among them), the brooding synth-pop group, inspired in part by Kate Bush and the Cure, landed a prime placement during a crucial scene of Netflix's thrilling stalker series "You" before releasing a remarkable self-titled debut album this spring. (7 p.m. July 5, Miller Lite Oasis)

19. Thaikkudam Bridge

Summerfest's Emerging Artist Series features acts from around the world, including Thaikkudam Bridge, which has millions of YouTube views for its electric live performances. The large ensemble bridges traditional folk music from its native India with meaty rock more in line with Metallica. (4:15 p.m. July 6, Johnson Controls World Sound Stage)

20. Billie Eilish

Eilish may not have widespread household name recognition, but of the 800 bands at Summerfest, her booking may be the festival's greatest coup. The 17-year-old is a phenomenon, using quirky production touches and whispered vocals to create pop music like no one else on her smash debut album "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go." Her brother and producer Finneas opens the largest headlining show of her career. (7:30 p.m. July 6, American Family Insurance Amphitheater. $111.25 to $116.35. Tickets include Summerfest general admission July 6.)

21. Sego

With an anything-can-happen aesthetic that recalls early Beck, Utah indie-rock band Sego is definitely one to watch, even if the name of its debut album, "Sego Sucks," may make you think otherwise. (6:45 p.m. July 7, Johnson Controls World Sound Stage)

22. Lil Wayne

Weezy is a die-hard Packers fan, and he loves Giannis Antetokounmpo, so what better way to close out the Big Gig than with the rap legend — especially now, coming off, "Tha Carter V," his strongest album in ages. He's joined at this show, and this show only, by two other towering hip-hop figures: Snoop Dogg and Schoolboy Q. (7:30 p.m. July 7, American Family Insurance Amphitheater. $62.15 to $106.10. Tickets include Summerfest general admission July 7.)

Contact Piet at (414) 223-5162 or plevy@journalsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter at @pietlevy or Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.

Piet also talks concerts, local music and more on "TAP'd In" with Jordan Lee. Hear it at 8 a.m. Thursdays on WYMS-FM (88.9), or wherever you get your podcasts.